# NTSB BFO91FA061: Mooney M20J, N5809J, Waynesboro, VA, July 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1991, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Waynesboro, VA
- Coordinates: 38.059089, -78.899948 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0591&lon=-78.8999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11628
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91FA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11628/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91FA061

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN OVERSTRESS OF THE AIRPLANE.  CONTRIBUTING WAS VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC AND THUNDERSTORMS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - normal
  - stabilizer - overload (contributing factor)
  - stabilizer - separation (contributing factor)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS EN ROUTE AT 11,500 FEET AND WAS RECEIVING TRAFFIC ADVISORIES FROM AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL, WHO ADVISED HIM OF HEAVY PRECIPITATION AHEAD.  THE PILOT BEGAN A DESCENT ABOUT 14 MILES FROM HIS DESTINATION.  ATC ADVISED THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, WHICH HE ACKNOWLEDGED.  THE PILOT LATER REPORTED HE HAD ENCOUNTERED RAIN AND TURBULENCE AND THAT HE WAS NOT IN VMC. ATC LOST CONTACT WITH THE AIRPLANE SOON AFTERWARDS. WITNESSES REPORTED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WHEN THEY SAW THE AIRPLANE DESCEND AND CRASH. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRPLANE HAD AN INFLIGHT BREAKUP; WRECKAGE WAS STREWN A DISTANCE OF ABOUT TWO MILES.  THE EXAMINATION DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5809J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5809J-1994-07-23), registration cancelled 1994-07-23, S/N 241554 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1554
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Perry E. Brunk
- Registered owner: Perry E. Brunk
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: LNP, WISE, VA
- Destination: SHD, HARRISONBURG, VA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SHD, 999 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910701025299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910701025299A), Jul 1, 1991: Mooney M20J, Waynesboro, VA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Advised of heavy rain in path. Continued into thunderstorm and broke up in flight. VFR flight not recommended.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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